Chapter 10

"I don't know, he's just too perfect," complained Kylie.

Carissa sighed. They were at the movie theater and had just finished paying for their tickets. Heading into the refreshment area, she tried to think about how she could explain to Kylie why Pierce was so perfect. She laughed a little to herself as it wasn't hard for her to keep the fact that he was Carpathian a secret. Who the heck would even believe her when she was still having a hard time believing it herself!

Kylie glanced at her as they headed toward theater number two. "Look, I don't mean to bring you down. I'm just worried. He's so rich and it's easy for him to have anything he wants. I hope he appreciates what he has in you."

Carissa looked down at her feet. "He looks at me like I'm the only woman in the world." Especially given the fact that she was supposedly his lifemate. Still, it was hard to understand how he could love her so unconditionally. "If anything, I'm going to drive him away on my own. I can't live up to his expectations."

"If he doesn't see the person I see, then its his loss."

"Yeah, but that still doesn't help my heart."

"You know, maybe you shouldn't think about your heart and think about just having some fun."

Carissa shook her head. "When I'm with him, all I can think about is my heart and losing it to him. It's like, he's what's been missing in my life. It's scary with how much I feel."

"Well, you need to take things slow. You shouldn't rush into things." Kylie eyed the refreshment stand. "Hey, do you want to split a popcorn?"

Carissa's stomach churned. "Um, no you go ahead."

"But you always want popcorn."

"Yeah, my stomach is feeling off." In fact, she hadn't really been eating much of anything lately.

"Okay, how about some chocolate?"

Carissa felt her stomach flip. "No."

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Yeah, really, I'm fine."

Kylie flipped her long hair over her shoulder. "Well, since you haven't known Pierce long enough, at least I can assume you're not pregnant!" she laughed as she headed to the counter.

Carissa found herself biting her lip. How was she ever even going to tell Pierce she was a virgin? When Kylie retuned with the popcorn, the smell made her nauseated. Her friend chattered on as they headed toward the theater.

Little one, have you not been eating?

Carissa froze. She'd been careful trying to keep her thoughts blocked. She didn't know how, but it was something she could do. Her physical reaction to food seemed to break down her barrier. I'm fine.

No, you're not. I'm sorry, I should have told you.

Told me what?

There was a pause.

Carissa smiled at whatever Kylie just said and nodded her head. Pierce?

You know I took your blood.

Well, yes, I thought you did. Even though I don't have any marks on my neck, thank goodness. So, you taking my blood makes me feel ill?

Well, no…

Pierce, what aren't you telling me?

Pierce and Samuel at that moment were arriving at LogTech's offices. They'd flown there in the shape of owls and then transformed into mist, easily entering through the ventilation shafts. As they took shape into human form, Pierce nudged Samuel. "Tell her the truth."

"Which part? That she fed from one or both of us?"

He sighed. "One thing at a time."

"That seems to be our motto," muttered Samuel. He reached out to Carissa. You took my blood.

The twins held their breath when they received a stunned silence from her. When she finally answered, Samuel and Pierce felt their chests tighten as her voice quivered.

What? Are you saying…I-I drank blood?

Yes. I captured your mind so you wouldn't know it was happening at the time.

Carissa, held her hand up to her mouth, the urge to be sick overwhelming her.

Kylie took her arm. "Are you okay? Do you need to go to the restroom?"

She nodded fiercely and took off running. When she got there, she slammed the stall door shut and tried to vomit. But she ended up having dry heaves.

Little one! There is nothing in your stomach. Allow me to help.

Stop…calling me…little! Carissa held her stomach as it convulsed again. Then a warm feeling entered her chest, her body beginning to relax and the sickness eased.

"Carissa! Is everything okay?"

"Yes," she replied, "something I probably ate." Or drank.

I am sorry, said Samuel.

"Kylie, can you give me a minute? I'll find you in the theater." After her friend reluctantly left, Carissa bit her lip. You should have told me.

I know.

So that's why my stomach is upset?

It takes three blood exchanges for you to convert.

Carissa swallowed. Convert to be a Carpathian?

Yes. It will become harder for you to digest food.

And I just drank blood once?

Twice actually.

Her anger increased. How could you do that? Don't ever do anything to me unless I know about it!

Pierce and Samuel looked at each other, their eyes filled with regret.

Do you hear me? she asked with her voice on edge.

Yes, whispered Samuel.

I thought you were going to give me time. Now I only have one blood exchange left?

Pierce seized the opportunity and spoke for Samuel. I want you to come with me and my brother to the Carpathian Mountains. Let me show you our home and what your life could be. Let me give you that choice.

I don't know. You said your brother thinks he is mentally unstable. Is it safe to even be with him?

The twins looked at each other with guilty faces as she didn't understand the full story. You will be safe, answered Samuel. I swear it.

I'll think about it.

Samuel and Pierce felt her mind withdraw. "That went well," said Samuel with sarcasm.

"Wait until she finds out we are both her lifemates," replied Pierce shaking his head.

"At least she agreed to think about going with us to the Carpathian Mountains."

"Let's get this over with," said Pierce gesturing toward the LogTech CFO's office.

"I don't know why we just didn't go to his home and look into his mind first."

"I want to look further into their computer system. Things might be there that even the CFO may not understand or realize." He walked over to the desk and brought up the login screen. Within a few moments, Pierce had easily broken through and began examining files.

Samuel was still thinking of Carissa. "I still don't like her being out at night."

"We'll be sure to fly by there on our way to the CFO's home."

"I still don't like it."

"It's our job to protect her. Of course you don't like it."

"One of us should have stayed to watch over her."

Pierce rolled his eyes. "I thought about doing that too. But not volunteering her information is as worse as lying. I don't want to watch Carissa without her consent. Look at just what happened. Trust is earned and we have a long way to go with her." Pierce froze. "What…is this?"

Samuel leaned in to look over his twin's shoulder. "Is that what I think it is?"

"It's a damn virus."

"You mean a program to send out a virus." Samuel frowned as his brother went through the files. "Pierce…"

"I know, I know," he replied. They were both alarmed now. It wasn't just code for one virus, but actually hundreds. Pierce searched the directory and emails. "Someone did a brilliant job of hiding their tracks. It's like the user wrote the code right here on this computer. I can't find any trace as to where else it came from."

"Our CFO is intelligent, but not this intelligent. He can't write code like this."

"The question is, where are these viruses destined? Wait, here's something." Pierce pulled up a list. When they began to read the file, the twins got the shock of their life. "Dear God…"

"Our companies," hissed Samuel. "This is a list of most of the companies we own! Wipe out everything, Pierce."

"I'm deleting everything off this hard drive. But we have to go through every file in the company. We need to get to their server. Even at our fast pace, this company has millions of data and programs."

Samuel raked his hand through his hair, then reached out with his mind while his brother worked at lightening speed.

Lucy. I want you to listen very closely to the instructions I'm going to give you and Graham. Everything has to be moved. Samuel swiftly walked down the hall into another office and sat down at another computer. He knew Lucy was in a panic with what he'd just said. I don't have time to explain, but I've got several accounts that no one can trace. Everything has to be moved into those accounts.

Long ago, Pierce and Samuel created an emergency back up plan in the event an economy collapsed or even worse, a virus attacked the financial system. What they hadn't anticipated was something this big coming out of one of their own companies.

Samuel reached out to his twin. Brother, this is going to have serious ramifications. We own a substantial amount in this U.S. economy.

Do it. Move what we can and sell everything else. The markets will open and we will use those who we have blood connections with in the human world to do what we must.

The alarm in his brother's voice gave Samuel several nervous knots in his stomach. They were the protectors of the Carpathian fortune. Someone had found a way to target the Carpathians by destroying their financial means, even possibly revealing data that could put their species in serious jeopardy.

Samuel winced inwardly as he remembered a time when his people were targeted as vampires, their parents beheaded and left to burn in the sun. In a way, this was now the modern day threat against them. Technology was not only a wonder to behold, but a way to track and discover their species. They had always protected the human race, but one could not blame them for what they did not understand. Still, they would have to eliminate this new threat.

The CFO, said Samuel. We need to see into his mind.

I can't search all these files alone. It will take the rest of night to get through most of these programs. And you need to ensure our investments are safe in the event these viruses are unleashed elsewhere.

Samuel cursed and turned his attention back to Lucy.

A few hours later, Carissa emerged from the movie theater with a smile on her face. It seemed she needed to get lost in a movie to take her mind off of things.

Kylie poked her. "You have to admit, that was pretty funny."

"Yeah, it was good."

"And thank goodness you're okay. I was worried you were coming down with the flu or something."

"I'm fine. And the movie was a good escape."

"Escape?" asked Kylie looking at her.

"Well, from serious things."

"Wow, you've really lost yourself to this guy."

Carissa nodded. "It's kind of frightening."

"You need to take things slow like I said."

Somehow she didn't think things were going to work out slow, especially if she ended up going away with Pierce to the Carpathian Mountains. Carissa couldn't help the feeling that she wanted to finally belong with someone…maybe even with a real family. The Carpathian people might be that family. It was exciting and scary at the same time.

"What you need is a drink."

"What? Oh…no, Kylie. I don't think that will do me any good. I mean, my stomach is still a mess and all."

"Okay, fine but I need one. I can't go to a bar all by myself!"

"Call your husband."

Kylie let out a hard sigh. "Some things you need to do without your husband once in a while. If you ever marry, you'll find out you need a little time to yourself. Spending time with one person all the time can drive you nuts!"

Carissa thought for a moment about the concept of lifemates which Pierce tried to explain. Supposedly, such unconditional love only grew stronger over time. But Kylie was right. How could you be with one man all the time? Especially if he was able to communicate through her mind? Right now she couldn't see how she would ever get tired of him. But what about the future? There had to be a down side.

Well, maybe that was the drinking of blood.

Or maybe there was more she didn't know? Carissa was determined the next time she saw Pierce, she'd insist on him telling her everything, especially if he'd been withholding any information from her. Not volunteering that she'd drank blood was definitely not the start of a healthy relationship.

Wait, was she mad? Since when was drinking blood a good relationship at all?

"So are you coming with me or what?"

"I'm really tired," Carissa said in an uncertain tone.

"Oh come on. Please? For me?"

Carissa suddenly realized that if she turned Carpathian she might not be able to see Kylie ever again. Chances were the Carpathians trusted only a few, especially if they never grew old in appearance. Realizing this, Carissa felt like she better spend time with her friend while she still could.

"Okay, but not too long."

"Right. Just a few shots."

They'd reached Kylie's car and Carissa frowned. "I'll have to drive you home, then."

She grinned as they got in the car. "Yeah, true. I guess I didn't think about how convenient it was for you to be the designated driver!" But when she went to start the car, nothing happened. "What the hell?" snapped Kylie as she tried to turn the key again. "This is a new car!"

"Maybe the battery died?" asked Carissa. "Did you accidentally leave a light on or something?"

"No. I don't understand!" She suddenly shot out of the car waving and Carissa realized a cab had driven by them. The car stopped. "Oh thank goodness," said Kylie running to the cab. "Come on, Carissa, let's go!"

"Are you going to call your husband?"

"Later, yeah. I want to get a few shots first. Might as well have one of us happy when I have to tell him the car won't start!"

They got in the cab and Kylie gave the name of a popular bar. Before Carissa knew it, they were dropped off at the location. It was a western bar and the music was blaring. At least it wasn't some biker hang out. But it was still loud and filled with too many men. Carissa grew uncomfortable as she felt like every one of them were looking her up and down as if she were a meal.

Are you okay?

Once again, her emotions broke down the barrier blocking her thoughts from Pierce. Yes, I'm fine.

Where are you?

She heard the alarm in his voice. Kylie wanted to come to a bar.

Excuse me? Carissa, it's not safe there. I'm coming to get you right now.

I'm fine.

No you're not. I can feel your discomfort.

Look, I'll just be here for a little bit. I'm trying to be with Kylie. She's my friend.

She is not your friend if she's making you go to someplace you do not want to be.

Carissa felt her anger surface. She didn't make me. I can choose to do what I want.

Back at LogTech, Samuel's frustration was reaching it's peak. The stress of trying to review so many files for viruses whiling moving all investments was taking it's toll. And they only had a few hours left in the night.

Pierce growled. Concentrate!

Carissa is at a damn bar.

You think I'm not hearing this conversation with her? I've been connected to you for the last few hours. Our loyalty is to both our lifemate and our people. Reason with her. I need you here.

Samuel tried to calm himself. Carissa, I'm sorry. But I need you to go home. It would make me feel better if you were in a safer place.

She felt like already he was controlling her. And Carissa was still a bit sore with him not volunteering she took his blood. She smiled at the bartender. "I'll have a Jack and Coke."

He actually hissed in her mind. Stop it.

What? I'm not allowed to have a drink? Might as well before I can only drink blood in my future.

It will make you sick.

Well, it might be worth it considering you might not tell me the next time you make me drink your blood.

He made a sound like a growl. I know you don't understand, but I have a lot going on at the moment. I don't need your safety to add one more problem for me tonight.

The Jack and Coke was placed in front of her and Kylie held up her shot glass. Carissa took a deep breath and then toasted with her friend.

Do not! he warned.

Even though she knew she was behaving badly, he had no right to tell her what to do. Men had tried to control her all her life. And she didn't want to start letting one man rule her now. She downed the drink, knowing her stomach would protest. But Carissa was determined her mind would win out over her body, and she forced herself to hold it down.

She heard Pierce curse under his breath.

Author's note: Sorry it's been so long everyone. Computer had died and then was in Boston a week ago and then Vegas this week (work related.) I know some of you might be thinking I shouldn't complain with Vegas. But when it's work related, it's definitely not as fun. I did at least get to see Phantom at the Venetian! But unfortunately I have to leave for Boston again on Tuesday! - Anne